Billy Collins Jr. vs Luis Resto: Revisited
Antonio Margarito Scandal Brings Back Painful Memories
Mar 9, 2009
After losing his WBA Welterweight title to Shane Mosley on January 24th, it was revealed that Antonio Margarito was found with a plaster-like substance in his hand wraps. Mosley’s trainer Nazim Richardson, discovered the substance prior to the fight and forced Margarito to rewrap his hands. This plaster-like substance greatly increases a fighter's punching power and consequently threatens the safety of the opponent.
Margarito and Top Rank promoter Bob Arum claimed that he was unaware that his trainer had put the substance in his wraps. Despite these claims however, both he and his trainer Javier Capetillo, were banned from boxing in the United States for at least one year by the California State Athletic Commission. Margarito will be eligible to reapply for his boxing license after a year, but he will not be guaranteed reinstatement at this time.
Billy Collins Jr. vs Luis Resto
These events are reminiscent of one the most notorious and troubling incidents in boxing history. On June 16th 1983, undefeated Welterweight prospect Billy Collins Jr. fought journeyman Luis Resto at Madison Square Garden on the under card of a Roberto Duran title fight. Collins took a severe beating over 10 rounds from his typically light-handed opponent. By the end of the fight, the 21 year-old Nashville native’s face was extremely swollen and bruised. Immediately after the fight Billy Collins Sr., who was working his son’s corner, discovered that most of the padding had been removed from Resto’s gloves.
After an investigation, the New York State Athletic Commission revealed that two ounces of padding had been removed through holes in the palms of each glove. Resto’s unanimous decision victory was subsequently changed to a no contest. As a result, both Resto and his trainer Panama Lewis were convicted of assault, conspiracy and criminal possession of a deadly weapon. Both men were banned from boxing for life and also served two and a half years in prison for their transgressions.
Aftermath of the Fight
Meanwhile, Collins learned that his promising boxing career had also come to an end. He suffered a torn iris in his right eye during the fight causing permanently blurred vision. Throughout the following months, Collins suffered from depression and began drinking heavily. Approximately nine months after the fight, he died in a tragic car accident. Multiple civil lawsuits filed by his family against the New York State Athletic Commission have ultimately failed.
Nearly 25 years after the controversial fight took place; Eric Drath released a documentary entitled “Cornered.” In this film, Resto finally confesses and apologizes for his role in the incident. He reveals that in addition to the two ounces of removed padding, his hand wraps had also been dipped in plaster prior to the bout. Collins’ widow Andrea Collins-Nile, recalls that "During the fight, Billy told (his father and trainer Billy Collins Sr.) it felt like he was getting hit with rocks." With this information, a new civil lawsuit has been filed against the New York State Athletic Commission.
While the full extent of the Margarito scandal is still generally unknown, it serves as a reminder of the darkest moments in the history of the sport. The tragic events of the Collins-Resto fight over 25 years ago outline the importance of the protection of fighters in the ring. The injuries sustained by Collins ended his promising boxing career and indirectly led to his tragic death only months later.
